PEORIA MAGAZINE June 2023

N o one puts on an “epic block party” quite like Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery, which is back at it on Wednesdays and weekends this spring and summer. But the annual concert season conducted at State and Water streets in Downtown Peoria is to have a wider scope in 2023 – in sponsorship, in headliners and perhaps in geography. Kelleher’s, the venerable eating and drinking emporium at 619 SW Water St., is teaming with two nearby establishments to present the parties. Next-door neighbor 8 Bit Arcade Bar is one. The other is Bearded Owl Brewing, located around the corner at 112 State St. “Kelleher’s is at the forefront, and they’re helping us out on the back end,” said Sean Sullivan, who with father Pat Sullivan owns Kelleher’s. “It allows us to have an epic block party. “They’re going to be advertising for us, we’re going to be advertising for them, so that way we can have a concerted group effort to be getting people down here.” As usual, Water Street between State and Walnut streets will be closed to accommodate the bands and their fans. Street food is to be sold – burgers and bratwurst from Kelleher’s, perhaps wood-fired pizzas from Bearded Owl. Sean Sullivan, co-owner of Kelleher’s Pub and Eatery at 619 SW Water St. with his father Pat Sullivan, and Paul Maloney, general manager of Kelleher’s, stand near the expanded venue on Water Street for summer concerts

PLAYING IN PEORIA

THE BLOCK PARTY TO BEAT ALL BLOCK PARTIES The Sullivans, father Pat and son Sean, are all about livening up Peoria’s Downtown

BY NICK VLAHOS PHOTO BY RON JOHNSON

70 JUNE 2023 PEORIA MAGAZINE